The local business community has come together to support the first ever Ripon Theatre Festival.

The first Ripon Theatre Festival will arrive in the city in June as part of a four-day celebration.

And sponsors gathered to celebrate their involvement and to meet visiting street theatre act The Million Dollar Mermaids, who were in the city to lead a day of community dance workshops.

Professional and community performances will take place at venues across the area including Fountains Abbey, Ripon City Centre, Ripon Library, Ripon Bowling Club and various unique, pop-up locations.

Plans include puppetry, dance, drama, street theatre, storytelling, children’s activities and family shows.

The local business community has come together to support the first ever Ripon Theatre Festival.

The Ripon Theatre Festival will take place between 23rd–26th June and organisers hope it will become a popular annual event.

John Alder, the project’s lead BID Director, said:

“As a ‘Destination’ BID, we at Ripon BID are keen to support the development of festivals in the city.

“Ripon Theatre Festival, with its vibrant mix of community activities jostling with high quality professional arts events is a great vehicle for the BID as it supports the city in developing its offering to tourists and residents alike.”

Ripon’s largest employer, Wolseley, are supporting the event.

Finance Director, Mark Stibbards said:

“As Ripon’s largest employer, and a company with a long-standing heritage in the city, it fills us with great pride to be the main sponsor for this event.

“We’re always striving to have a positive impact on the communities in which we serve, and this is another great opportunity for us to do just that.”

Find out more about the festival here: www.ripontheatrefestival.org

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